SWANSEA SHOW STARTS WELSH SEASON

Progressive promoter Paul Boyce kicks off the professional season for Wales with a six-fight show at Swansea’s Oceana nightclub coming this Friday, continuing his one man stand to promote the sport in the south-west. The most familiar name on the show is Bonymaen ABC’s Tobias Webb (8-1-1) who takes another step to a Welsh title fight. With the exception of three fights in the quick fix Prizefighter format, Webb’s had just five fights since turning pro in 2009 with his former handlers Frank Warren Promotions. Since signing with Paul Boyce Promotions six months ago, Webb’s had consecutive six-rounders (winning both on points) and they’re vital in his development from prospect to contender. In opponent Jody Miekel, Boyce hasn’t given Webb a big name but in his third fight in nine months he faces a crafty journeyman that can take power and will give Webb the rounds he needs to learn more about himself. There’s a lot expected of Cwmgors ABC Chris Jenkins (2-0, 1KO). The talented 24-year-old boasts a solid amateur pedigree with experience at 2011’s World Amateur Champions in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku and two appearances at the Commonwealth Games – becoming the youngest athlete to represent Wales at the games. The heavy handed welterweight has been kept busy by Paul Boyce and Friday’s bout will be his third in seven months, taking like a duck to water having stopped Russell Pearce on his debut and then thoroughly bossing experienced journeyman Billy Smith with a shut out 40-36 win. The all action ‘Rock n Rolla’ is currently lined up to fight the ever active TBA, whoever it turns out to be, Jenkins style makes fights fun to watch. Super-middleweight Chris Ware (2-0, 1KO) hasn’t wasted anytime getting to grips with the pro-ranks. Following success in the amateurs with Welsh Senior ABA’s wins for Bonymaen ABC, the 30-year-old took time out to establish his business – the Funkypump Fitness gym. Making up for lost time, Friday’s bout will be his third in six months, following a points win over journeyman Jamie Norkett and a first round KO win over debutant Simon Parkins. Ware faces Nottingham’s Gilson De Jesus, a crude but game 22-year-old who despite his 1-4 record, doesn’t enter the ring with a journeyman mind-set. Welsh fans would have saw De Jesus lose a 40-36 decision to Rhondda’s Liam Williams and despite the shut-out win, Williams was forced to work for it. In De Jesus’ three other losses he’s taken rounds off the winner with 39-38 scorelines. 27-year-old Leon ‘Lasha’ Findlay (2-0-1, 1KO) marks a year anniversary of his debut with his fourth outing as a professional. The welterweight made his debut in impressive fashion, stopping durable mid-lander Andrew Patterson inside a round – a feat only matched by Liverpool’s talent Liam Smith who stands on the brink of a British title challenge. In between stopping Patterson and beating journeyman Jason Nesbitt, Findlay drew with Carmarthen’s dynamo Dale Evans. Despite the draw, it’s no result to be ashamed of as Findlay showed character by taking the fight against another novice-pro and to come from two rounds behind to get a draw. At the time of writing, Findlay’s opponent is also TBA. Darryn Bushbye’s (2-0) path to professional prize fighting isn’t something of the norm. The 31-yeat-old light-middleweight first met promoter Paul Boyce nine years ago but didn’t pursue a career in the sport. Almost a decade later and Bushbye’s yet to lose a round in his two outings with 40-36 wins over journeymen Matt Scriven and fellow Swansea man Chris Brophy. Up next is a step up in journeyman, if such things exist, in the form of Dee Mitchell who holds a respectable 9-21-1 record. There was a time that Birmingham’s Mitchell held a solid 8-2 record but he’s since south regular outings in the away corner against some of Britain’s top up-coming prospects that has seen his record dip. 30-year-old lightweight Greg Pickin had a close shave on his introduction to the pro game in June, squeaking past the game journeyman Dan Carr via a 39-38 score. Pickin now knows he has to learn fast and he’s sure to be on the receiving end of plenty tricks of the trade when he faces the experienced Ibrar Riyaz on Friday who he should overcome. A limited amount of tickets are still available. Contact Paul Boyce Promotions on: 01639821110.